Redeeming Jack Read Online Free PDF Page B

unclear.”
    Gareth picked up one of the letters and regarded it doubtfully. “With all due respect, Your Grace, are you sure Michael Waterstone is the best person to help you with this? Surely he is suspect because of his connection with Mrs. Forester.”
    Jack snorted. “Michael wouldn’t thank you for that. He hates his mother with almost as much passion as his sister does.”
    Gareth raised his eyebrows. “Are you are privy to the duke’s secrets, Llewelyn? You know Michael Waterstone and his sister well?”
    “If I may intervene and save you from further embarrassment, Mr. Evans. Michael Waterstone is not only my secretary but my brother-in-law.” Gareth Evans paled as the duke continued smoothly. “Which naturally makes his sister my duchess.”
    Jack tossed the letter he had been reading to Gareth. “I, too, can vouch for Michael Waterstone. His sister engaged me as his nurse-companion during the summer.”
    Gareth opened his mouth and then shut it with an audible snap when the duke stared coldly at him.
    Sir Adrian fussily unfolded a map and laid it out on the table. He jabbed a vague finger in the direction of Wales. “Mrs. Edwards resides on the south coast of Wales, near Swansea. I have marked the place. We are hoping Mrs. Forester has sought refuge with her.”
    Jack leaned back in his chair and propped his boot on the edge of the table. He ignored both Sir Adrian’s frown and the duke’s quiet smile. “How can we be sure Mrs. Forester didn’t mean for you to find these letters? It could all be an elaborate hoax. She might already have escaped to France.”
    Sir Adrian shook his head as he folded the map and gave it to Jack. “Impossible, my good man. All the ports in England are being watched. And we have no other leads. We have to follow this one.”
    “What if Mrs. Edwards is already dead?” Gareth spoke into the tense silence. “What if the letters are a complete sham?”
    The duke gathered up the letters and tied them up with the pink ribbon. “I will ask Michael to solve all the coded passages in the letters as quickly as possible. So far, they seem to be mere childish, girlish babble.” He glanced up at Jack, his gray eyes cold. “When Michael has finished, I want you and Mr. Evans to travel to Wales with all speed and find out the truth. If Mrs. Forester is alive, you will bring her back. All your expenses will be paid. I want this settled.”
    Sir Adrian and Steven Gardiner rose and bowed to the duke. Jack continued to sit, his eyes fixed on Gareth Evans, who remained seated as well.
    The duke waited until the government officials left before he, too, rose and inclined his head. “I shall leave you two to reminisce. There is a passable brandy in the decanters behind you. Please help yourselves. I will make sure you are not disturbed.”
    The duke shut the door behind him, leaving Jack and his erstwhile friend in complete silence.
    Gareth stirred. “Jack…”
    To stop him talking, Jack got to his feet and walked across to the massive sideboard, which held five cut-glass decanters and a sparking array of glasses. Jack grabbed the brandy and two glasses and brought them back to the table. His hand was a little unsteady when he poured the brandy, and some splashed onto the pristine table. He used his sleeve to mop up the spillage.
    When he looked up, Gareth was staring at him.
    Jack raised an eyebrow and Gareth smiled. “You would never have done that in the old days, Jack. You would have died rather than spoil your fine clothes.”
    Jack looked at his much washed coat sleeve and shrugged. “I have changed. Even
I
am capable of that.” His own bitterness shocked him. He took a hasty sip of brandy and allowed it to burn a fiery trail down his throat.
    Gareth took the other glass and raised it in a salute. “We have both grown up. I would not be so impetuous now.”
    “You did the only thing you could, Gareth. I walked out on Carys, and you were well within your rights to defend